Hundreds of prisoners with severe mental illness should not be in Scotland's jails, according to the country's chief inspector of prisons.
Hundreds of prisoners with severe mental illness should not be in Scotland's jails, according to the country's chief inspector of prisons.
In a report published today, Dr Andrew McLellan says 315 prisoners are known to have enduring mental illnesses - most commonly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder - and they are not receiving proper care.
The rate of severe mental illness among the prison population is 4.5% - twice that of society in general. Among women in Cornton Vale Prison, it was double again.
Dr McLellan says that, when less severe mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are taken into account, as many as 90% of prisoners are affected.
The report says that since health care beds have been phased out across most prisons, prisoners with mental illness are detained in halls with other inmates.
Dr McLellan adds: "Prison is unlikely to lead to an improvement in these conditions and may exacerbate the problem, particularly when such prisoners are held in inappropriate locations such as segregation units."
The report states: "The fact of imprisonment and the nature of imprisonment do real harm to these people."
Dr McLellan says there has been some progress in the level of understanding of mental health among staff and improved communications between agencies.
However, he concludes: "Prison is not the most appropriate environment for people with severe and enduring mental health problems. Their primary need is their mental health and the appropriate place to address this is in a hospital."
The report found staff shortages in healthcare and high staff turnover had a major impact. Although most people have access to a psychiatrist, it is for a relatively small number of hours.
Dr Andrew Fraser, Scottish Prison Service director of health and care, said more work needs to be done to identify those with problems.
"There is a need for police, courts and prisons to work together," he said. "A lot of people shouldn't get as far as the prison gate, they should be sent straight to a secure hospital."
